Gasoline station system for enablement of selected pumps by a credit card console located at the pump island

ABSTRACT

A system for use in a gasoline station for automatic enablement of fuel dispensing means from the fuel island by a customer credit card comprising credit card reader means, customer operable keyboard means, display means, output channel means, and first processor control means, together with attendant control means for use by the attendant of the gas station. The attendant control means is manually operable by the attendant for enabling a selected fuel dispensing means, thereby providing an indication to the attendant of the value of dispensed fuel made by the customer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a customer controlled terminal forenablement of a selected fuel dispenser, and more particularly relatesto a customer console which communicates with an attendant-controlledterminal located within the sales office of the gasoline station.

Heretofore, equipment has been provided in service stations which permitthe remote enablement of gasoline dispensers by an attendant-controlledterminal. The terminal is located in the sales office of the servicestation remote from the islands containing pump dispensers. Such aterminal prevents theft of gasoline by allowing only the attendant toenable fuel dispensing pumps.

A fully automated vending apparatus for the dispensement of fuel, isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,786,421 issued to W. Wostl on Jan. 15,1974. The Wostl device provides a step forward in the art, eliminatingthe service station attendant altogether by permitting self-vending ofthe fuel and self-payment by the customer. The Wostl device, however, isnot capable of handling the sales of goods which cannot be automaticallydispensed and, therefore, does not create a transactional receipt forthe purchased goods.

Wostl and others thereafter invented other apparatus in order to providean automated credit card transaction in a vehicle service station whichnot only speeds up sale transaction but permits the use of an attendanton duty in order to reduce the likelihood of error and fraud. U.S. Pat.No. 4,199,100, Wostl et al., discloses a terminal apparatus whichmonitors a plurality of fuel dispensers for selectively retrieving fuelsales information to be automatically combined with miscellaneous salesinformation in the form of a printed receipt by simple command from theattendant. This second generation Wostl device resulted in a stepforward in the art providing service station attendant interplay withautomated service station functions.

Where a service station includes a terminal apparatus at a centrallocation which is operated by an attendant, the customer parks his carat the pump islands and pumps gas into his vehicle from a normallyenabled pump. The customer then walks to the central location forpayment by credit card or cash. By permitting the pumps to remainnormally enabled at the many islands of the service station, a singleattendant is unable to prevent "drive-offs" in which a car pulls to aremote pump, the tank is fueled by the driver and the driver merelydrives away without paying.

In order to prevent such drive-offs, some service stations require thecustomer to walk in to the central location and make pre-payment forgasoline, either by cash or credit card before the attendant will enablethe pump. After making prepayment, the customer must then walk back tothe pump island and dispense gasoline. After the dispensing iscompleted, the customer must then return to the central location tocomplete the sales transaction by picking up his cash receipt or signingthe credit card receipt. It would therefore be highly desirable toprovide apparatus which still permits use of a centrally locatedterminal apparatus and at the same time eliminates the necessity for thecustomer to make two trips to the centralized location in order toprevent drive-offs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to automate credit cardtransactions in a vehicle service station in order to speed up salestransaction and reduce the likelihood of gasoline theft by drive-offs.

A system according to the present invention includes a centrally locatedterminal apparatus which monitors at least one, and preferably, aplurality of fuel dispensers for selective retrieval of fuel salesinformation. The central terminal apparatus communicates with theattendant on duty permitting the attendant to selectively enable any oneof the island pumps. A remote customer-controlled console located at agasoline dispensing island communicates with the central terminal inorder to permit a customer to provide "collateral" by way of credit cardto instruct enablement of the selected pump by the customer at alocation remote from the central terminal apparatus. A remotecustomer-controlled console includes a credit card reader which obtainscredit card information in order to verify the credit status of the cardthe customer is using for collateral. A keyboard and display device areincluded on the customer console for permitting the customer to selectan individual pump for enablement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gasoline service station incorporatingthe system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an attendant-controlled terminal of thesystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a customer-controlled console of thesystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a conventional microcomputer forming the process andcontrol system of the terminal of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustration of the customer-controlledconsole of FIG. 3 and the attendant-controlled terminal of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are flow charts illustrating the basic control sequenceexecuted by the circuitry of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a gasoline station 11 includes a plurality ofgasoline dispensing islands 13, 15, 17. Each island is shown havingthree separate gasoline dispensers 19a, 19b, 19c, each of which may haveone or two fuel outlets for dispensing separate types of fuels, as forexample, regular, high octane, and no-lead gasoline.

Apparatus of the present invention includes an attendant-controlledconsole or terminal 21, positioned within the sales office of gasolinestation 11, and a customer-controlled console 23 disposed at eachdispensing island 13, 15, 17. An underground cable 25 providescommunication between console 21 and each of the nine pumps and each ofthe customer-controlled consoles 23. A second cable 27 connects console21 to a data bank (not shown) for transmission and receipt of creditcard information. As will suggest itself, cable 25 may be positionedoverhead instead of underground.

Console 21 is shown in more detail in FIG. 2 as including a receiptprinter 29, a credit card reader 31, a keyboard 33 and a visual displayand pump control keyboard area 35. Console 21 is controlled by theattendant on duty who may take cash or credit cards for payment ofgasoline dispensed from the pumps. Printer 29 and display area 35 may beutilized to provide proper sales information as to both gasoline andmiscellaneous items purchased by the customer. The particular operationof console 21 is discussed in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,100,Wostl et al., which is assigned to the assignee of the presentinvention. U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,100 is incorporated herein by reference.

Customer-controlled console 23 is shown in more detail in FIG. 3 asincluding a credit card reader 37, a keyboard 39 and a visual displaydevice 41. Console 23 is controlled by the customer in order to enable aselected one of dispensing pumps 19. The customer pulls or "swipes" hiscredit card through credit card reader 37 in order to provide"collateral" for automatically enabling a fuel dispensing pump. Theparticular pump which the customer desires to be enabled is keyed intokeyboard 39. The display device 41 provides various communicationinstructions to the customer in order to aid him to properly enable aselected fuel pump.

Each of the plurality of island customer-controlled consoles 23communicate with the attendant console 21 in order to provide pumpenablement. Console 21 serves to control the actual pump enablement andcredit authorization as well as instructing customers at each islandduring the enablement process.

The customer is guided through the use of the island console 23 by aseries of prompting messages displayed on display device 41. When inuse, the customer will "swipe" his credit card through reader 37 and thecard numbers will be conveyed to attandant console 21. There the creditcard numbers are transmitted in a normal fashion (as though the cardnumbers were read from card reader 31) to a data bank at a creditverification facility. If credit approval is given, the customer will beinstructed on display device 41 to select a dispenser hose number viakeyboard 39. His selection will be indicated to the attendant within thestation by indication in the display area 35 of attendant console 21.The attendant then will manually authorize the pump via the console 21.As will suggest itself, the attendant could be bypassed where console 21is constructed to automatically enable the appropriate hose whenproperly selected by the customer. However, the interplay of theattendant in the enablement process keeps the attendant apprised ofenabled pumps for his subsequent completion of the sale.

Once the selected hose is enabled, the customer may then begindispensing fuel. Upon the completion of fueling, the customer willproceed to the attendant at the attendant console to complete the sale.The sale will be completed by signature to the credit card receipt or bycash payment by the customer instead of using the credit card whichserved as collateral to enable the pump.

Multiple customers may use a single island console 23 as long as they donot attempt to dispense from the same hose. Likewise, customers at otherislands may be using additional island consoles 23 concurrently with theoperation of the console 23 at the first island.

The communication link between customer console 23 and attendant console21 is serial in nature, including a transmit cable and a receipt cable.This pair of cables may be sheathed in one overall jacket to form acommunication cable between the customer consoles and theattendant-controlled console. In order to isolate the communication linkfrom transmitted and induced noise, transformer couplings, opto-isolatorcouplings or a fiber-optic link may be utilized for isolation, as willsuggest itself.

When in operation and idling, display 41 at the customer console willdisplay "INSERT CARD". A flashing arrow pointing to the card reader mayalso be included in the message. Once the customer has successfully"swiped" his card through the credit card reader, the display willdisplay "CHECKING CREDIT" as the card number is sent to attendantconsole 21 for credit authorization. Where credit is denied, a messagewill appear on the customer console display, as for example, "INVALIDCARD", "DENIED", or "CARD EXPIRED". Cards which have been stolen (or thelike) and require attendant intervention will cause a "SEE ATTENDANT" tobe displayed on the display device. Where a card cannot be read afterthree attempts, the display device will display "SEE ATTENDANT".

When creidt authorization has been obtained by attendant console 21, thedisplay on the customer console will say "CREDIT OK" and "SELECT PUMP".The "SELECT PUMP" message may also include a flashing arrow pointing tokeyboard 39. The customer uses keyboard 39 to select a pump number. Thisselection is shown on the display, followed by "UNAVAILABLE" or "PUMP INUSE" for non-programmed or in-use pumps. For an available pump, thedisplay will flash "FUEL AT PUMP NO. X" and attendant console 21 willsignal the attendant that pump enablement is requested. The attendantthen enables the customer selected pump for dispensing fuel.

When a pump has been properly selected and enabled, and the handle forthat pump is actuated, the attendant console receives an indication ofhandle actuation and will reset (return to idle) customer console 23;the display at the customer console will return to "INSERT CARD" so thatthe next customer may begin his transaction.

Failure to actuate the pump handle of the selected pump within apredetermined number of seconds, for example, thirty seconds after the"FUEL AT PUMP NO. X" message first appears, will cause the entiretransaction to be cancelled. The pump will be de-authorized, the creditcard number will be erased from console 21, and the island console willreturn to the "INSERT CARD" message.

Referring in more detail to FIG. 3, credit card reader 37 includes acard receiving slot 43 adapted to receive the customer's credit card ina sliding fashion, as the operator pulls the card downwardly throughslot 43. Visual indicia 45 is inscribed adjacent slot 43 for explainingto the customer how to perform the displayed instruction "INSERT CARD"appearing on display 41. As shown, indicia 45 is pictorial in nature andmay be positioned on either side of slot 43; however, additionalinstructions in words may be positioned with the pictorial indicia or onthe other side of slot 43, as will suggest itself.

A reading head (not shown) positioned along the insides of guide slot 43generates a signal having the information carried by the card as thecard is pulled quickly through the slot. Card reader 37 retrieves theinformation from the card for commanding automatic investigation byattendant console 21 of the credit status of the particular credit cardread.

Keyboard 39 includes a numeric key pad 47 for entering a selected pumpnumber. As shown, pad 47 includes keys bearing numbers 1 through 16.After a numeric key is pressed, the attendant console signals theattendant to enable the particular pump associated with the key actuatedby the customer on key pad 47. Other keys may be included on keyboard 39if desired. For example, a "HELP" key 49 and a "CLEAR ENTRY" key 51 areshown in FIG. 3.

Attendant console 21 (FIG. 2) includes a dispenser control key pad 53shown as having two rows of sixteen fuel pump selection buttons 55. Eachbutton 55 is associated with one gasoline pump and may be lightedseparately for signalling the attendant. Each button 55 is also actuableseparately as a switch to permit instructional commands from theattendant. Since a button 55 performs the dual function of a keyboardswitch and a display device, the button may be considered as part ofkeyboard 33 and as part of display area 35.

The top row of buttons 55 are actuable for enabling a particular pump;the bottom row of buttons 55 are actuable for collecting data of aparticular pump to be viewed on display 59. When a customer selects aparticular pump for enablement via an island terminal, the associatedpump number button 55 on the attendant console flashes; this signals theattendant to actuate the flashing button in order to enable therequested pump. An audible beeping may also be generated in conjunctionwith the flashing of button 55, as will suggest itself.

The attendant's actuation of a flashing button 55 of the top row ofkeypad 53, causes the flashing light of the button to become a steady"ON" light for displaying to the attendant which pumps are in use. Afterthe customer has completed dispensing fuel and actuates the pump handle,the lighted button 55 is extinguished and its corresponding button 55positioned below on the lower row of keypad 53 lights steadily; thissignals the attendant that payment is to be taken for gasoline dispensedfrom that pump. Actuation of the steadily lighted button 55 on the lowerrow of keypad 53 changes the steady "ON" light of the button to aflashing light and causes display of the gasoline value onto display 59.A receipt may then be printed from printer 29 by actuation of anenter/printing key (generally referred to by reference numeral 61) whichcauses console 21 to make ready for printing a receipt for the sale ofgasoline from the pump associated with the button 55 selected, asdescribed in Wostl et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,100. The printing of areceipt may serve to extinguish the associated lighted button of thelower row of keypad 53. The pump is reset by subsequent actuation ofbutton 55 on the upper row of keypad 53, when re-enabling the pump forthe next customer.

Printer 29 may take the form of a conventional dot matrix printer of thealpha-numeric variety. Ordinarily, printer 29 prints individual customerreceipts. Where payment is made by way of credit card, printer 29 isoperable to print on preformed, pre-printed credit invoices having aplurality of sheets for formulating at least a customer copy and acharge copy. The credit invoice is printed to contain the particularcredit card number of the customer and the total sale amount. Furtherprinting may include other particulars as will suggest itself.

Referring to FIG. 4, a conventional microcomputer 63 controls theoverall system processing and management of console 21. Themicrocomputer performs a number of tasks which may be summarized asfollows:

(1) data is retrieved from the dispensing pumps in the form of a measureof the value amount of the gasoline dispensed and is manipulated bymicrocomputer 63 to enable printing of gasoline sale information byprinter 29;

(2) credit card data read from the customer's credit card, either fromcard reader 31 or card reader 37, is manipulated to provide outputcommands along cable 27 for enabling transmission of the credit cardinformation to a data bank for establishing credit authorization;

(3) data is retrieved from and transmitted to customer controlledconsole 23 in order to provide instructions to a customer duringcustomer enablement of a selected one of the fuel dispensing pumps.

One suitable microcomputer 63 may include a conventional Z-80microprocessor. As with U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,100, reference here also ismade to publications of Mostek Corporation, Carrollton, Tex.: Mostek'sMK 3880 Central Processing Unit Technical Manual, February, 1977 andMostek's MK 3881 Parallel I/O Controller Technical Manual, November,1976. Also a serial communications device, MK 3887, may be used in aserial input/output interface. More particularly, when using more thanone island terminal, IBM SDLC protocol may be used to permit theattendant terminal to communicate with a select one of the islandterminals. As understood, the SDLC coding includes an address code totell which island terminal is to be talked with by the attendantterminal 21. A conventional Zilog Z80 SIO chip may be used to permit theSDLC protocol.

As shown in FIG. 4, microcomputer 63 treats printer 29, card reader 31,keyboard 33, display area 35, fuel dispensing pumps 19a-c and customerconsoles 23 as peripheral devices which are interconnected by means ofbus cables 65. The microcomputer is also connected to cable 27 forcommunication with the data bank.

Microcomputer 63 is interconnected to the dispensing islands via cable25b for monitoring the sale of gasoline dispensed from each pump and formonitoring the actuation of the pump handle when the customer begins todispense gas. Also, the dispensing islands receive commands frommicrocomputer 63 for enabling and resetting selected pumps.

The final totals for each pump are transmitted to microcomputer 63 atthe completion of fuel dispensing when commanded by the attendant'sactuation of the dispenser control key pad 53. The sales data from thepump is accumulated and the associated pump is made available forselection by another customer. The attendant actuates key pad 53 inorder to provide the appropriate gas sales information of a selectedpump for printing by printer 29 onto a receipt for the customer. This isdescribed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,100.

The pump sales data may be encoded in a number of ways, preferably, thevalue amount rather than the gallonage is encoded in the pump data. Thegallonage may be computable separately by the microcomputer from a knownunit price per gallon.

As illustrated in the above-cited Wostl U.S. Pat. No. 3,786,421 (seeFIGS. 9-12), fuel pump controls are located on the outside of the pumpfor actuation by the customer. After a customer completes dispensing adesired quantity of fuel, a handle located on the side of the pump isrotated by the customer to stop the gasoline tally permitting the pumpto be replaced in its holder. The rotation of the pump handle can beutilized to place the pump's final sales data in a ready state forretrieval by the microcomputer when desired. The pump may automaticallylock at this time until reset by the microcomputer. Further, when thepump handle is initially rotated by the customer to begin gasoline afterpump enablement by the attendant, a control signal is retrieved bymicrocomputer 63 for returning to idle the island console 23 whichrequested the associated pump to be enabled. As will suggest itself, ifthe pump handle is rotated without previous attendant enablement, thecontrol signal may serve to cause actuation of a beeping signal to alertthe attendant accordingly.

Referring to FIG. 5, a conventional microcomputer 67 controls theprocessing and management of customer-controlled console 23.Microcomputer 67 may similarly be constructed from a Z80 Microprocessor.The microcomputer performs a number of tasks which may be summarized asfollows:

(1) data is retrieved from card reader 37 of the information read fromthe customer's credit card and is manipulated to provide output commandsvia an output channel or port 69; output port 69 is connected alongcable 25a to an input port 71 of microcomputer 63 of the attendantconsole;

(2) data is retrieved from keyboard 39 of the particular pump numberselected by the customer and is manipulated to provide output commandsalong cable 25a via output port 69 to attendant console 21;

(3) data is received from the attendant console via outport 69 ofparticular instructional commands for causing display of information tothe customer and is manipulated to provide output commands to displaydevice 41 for displaying visual instructions to the customer operatingconsole 23.

As shown in FIG. 5, microcomputer 67 treats credit card reader 37,keyboard 39, display device 41 and output port 69 as peripheral deviceswhich are interconnected by means of a bus or cables 73. Microcomputers63, 67 include a conventional 8-bit parallel bus microprocessor havingan accumulator, a plurality of registers and an instruction register andCPU control for interpretation and execution of micro-level assemblylanguage instructions. Microcomputer 63 manages the acquisition ofdispensing sales data from gasoline pumps and other sales informationdata entered through keyboard 33, processes the data and prints thesales information in receipt form via printer 29. The system is managedunder the control of keyboard 33 permitting the attendant to initiateparticular operations to be performed by microcomputer 63. Thesefunctions are described in connection with flow diagrams in U.S. Pat.No. 4,199,100.

Output port 69 and input port 71 are shown in FIG. 5 as diagrammaticblocks connected by a communication link represented by cable 25a. Theoutput port and input port blocks may be comprised of conventionalcircuitry depending on whether parallel or serial communication betweenconsole 23 and terminal 21 are desired. Where there is only one islandconsole 23 and parallel communication is desired, the ports 69, 71 maycomprise buffer latches, as will suggest itself. Conceivably ports 69,71 may merely comprise electrical conductors depending on the bufferingand interrupt functions constructed within the particular microcomputers63, 67. As referred to above, a conventional Zilog Z80 SIO chip may beutilized to interface the microcomputers where a serial communicationlink is desired.

In order to provide a pump enablement request to the attendant by acustomer using the customer console, microcomputers 63, 67 step througha control sequence of steps diagrammatically shown in the flow charts ofFIGS. 6 and 7. The control sequence for the customer console embodies aset of subroutines utilized to transmit and read information fromattendant console 21, read information from card reader 37 and fromkeyboard 39 and transmit information to display device 41.

Referring to FIG. 6, the encircled A indicates the initial entry pointinto the control sequence for execution of a pump enablement requestfrom console 23 to console 21. At step S-1, microcomputer 67 transmitsdisplay signals to display device 41 to display "Insert Card". Thisdisplay is maintained by microcomputer 67 until actuation of the consoleby a customer. This is the idle state of customer console 23. Thecustomer console 23 is placed in its idle state by a "reset" instructionfrom attendant control console 21, as described below.

At step S-2, microcomputer 67 determines whether a credit card has beenpulled through the customer console 23 in order to begin the process ofpump enablement. So long as a credit card has not been read, customercontrol console 23 stays in its idle state. Upon the actuation of creditcard reader 37, microcomputer 67 is signalled for retrieving the entirecard data to be received. This may be accomplished by an interruptsignal from card reader 37.

Microcomputer 67 may perform a number of checks at step S-3 to determinewhether the entire card data has been retrieved, similar to the cardcheck performed by microcomputer 63 as discussed in U.S. Pat. No.4,199,100. If card information is incomplete, microcomputer 67 maydisplay a "INSERT AGAIN" (at step S-4) on display device 41 forsignalling the customer to re-enter the credit card through card reader37. If this occurs after four times in a row, microcomputer 67 maydisplay "SEE ATTENDANT" on display device 41 to instruct the customer tosee the attendant regarding the non-reading of the credit card, stepsS-5, S-6, and S-7. As will suggest itself, either microcomputer 63, 67may perform the step of checking the card data. Other checks may beperformed at step S-3, as discussed above, for invalid or expired cards.

Where microcomputer 67 receives the entire card data, microcomputer 67manipulates the data for transmission to console 21 (step S-8) and thenactuates display device 41 at step S-9 for displaying "CHECKING CARD" tothe customer. After the data has been received by microcomputer 63 ofconsole 21, microcomputer 63 enters its subroutine for transmission ofthe credit card data to the data bank, as described in the U.S. Pat. No.4,199,100. After data transmission, microcomputer 63 awaits creditauthorization or denial to be returned from the data bank.

The data bank is stored with credit card validation data from which thevalidity of accounts can be determined. By way of example, if the databank is a centralized data bank serving a plurality of service stations11 from a remote location, then the data bank may store each accountnumber together with an indication of whether the account is valid orinvalid. The data bank functions by returning to the microcomputer acredit card validation data indicative of the credit card validitystate.

As described in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,100, attendant control console21 reads the data transmitted from the data bank and determines whetheror not credit has been authorized. Depending on whether or not credithas been authorized, a particular display is to be shown on displaydevice 42 to the customer. If credit is authorized, the display willread "CREDIT OK", "SELECT PUMP". Microcomputer 63 provides instructionsto microcomputer 67 for displaying the proper information to thecustomer. Microcomputer 63 stores the credit card information.

At step S-10, microcomputer 67 responds to instructions frommicrocomputer 63 as to whether credit has been authorized. If credit hasnot been authorized, a message "SEE ATTENDANT" is displayed on displaydevice 41 (steps S-11, S-12) for a predetermined time. Thereafter,microcomputer 67 returns to step S-1 and enters its idle state for useby a new customer.

If at step S-10 credit has been authorized, microcomputer 67 displays"CREDIT OK", "SELECT PUMP" and awaits the selection of the pump numberby the customer, steps S-13a, S-13b, S-14. Microcomputer 67 thendetermines which of the several keys of keyboard 39 have been actuatedand then forwards the information to microcomputer 63 at step S-15 (FIG.7).

Microcomputer 63 upon receiving the pump request number searches itsmemory to determine whether or not the pump is available for actuation.If the pump is available for enablement, microcomputer 63 sendsinstructions to microcomputer 67 which are interpreted at step S-16 foractuation of display device 41 to display "FUEL AT PUMP NO. X", stepS-17. Microcomputer 63 also actuates a flashing of the appropriatebutton 55 on display area 35 for signalling the attendant as to theparticular pump being selected by the customer. The attendant thenactuates the flashing button 55 directing microcomputer 63 to enable theselected gas pump.

If microcomputer 63 determines that the pump is unavailable or in use,instructions are sent to microcomputer 67 (steps S-16, S-18) directingdisplay of "PUMP UNAVAILABLE" or "PUMP IN USE". As will suggest itself,step S-16 may limit the number of attempts at pump selection to no morethan three.

Where the customer is required to select a new pump number at step S-18,microcomputer 67 transfers control back to step S-14. However, where aselected pump is available (step S-17), microcomputer 67 executes stepS-19 in which the microcomputer waits for "reset" instructions from theattendant console in order to place the console in its idle state.

The microcomputer 63 monitors the rotating handle on the gas pump whichhas been selected in order to provide "reset" instructions to islandconsole 23. If a predetermined time lapses without rotation of thehandle of the selected pump microcomputer 67 resets console 23. In thecase where a much larger delay occurs, microcomputer 63 erases anycredit card information or the like stored in its microcomputer memorybank. Upon receiving reset instructions at step S-19 or upon lapse oftime, microcomputer 67 returns to step S-1 placing the console in itsidle state to await the next customer at island console 23.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosurerelates to preferred embodiments of the invention and that othermodifications or alterations may be made therein without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for use in a gasoline station, or thelike, for automatic enablement of fuel dispensing means from the fuelisland by a customer credit card, comprising:a plurality of fueldispensing means for dispensement of fuel, said plurality grouped toform at least one fuel island of the gas station, each said fueldispensing means for generating first coded data signals representativeof the fuel dispensed; customer control means located at a fuel island,including:i. credit card reader means operable for reading indiciacarried by a credit card and for generating card coded data indicativeof said indicia; ii. customer-operable keyboard means including keymeans for operator generation of keyboard data indicative of a selectedone of said fuel dispensing means; iii. display means responsive todisplay signals for visually displaying information for communicatingwith the customer; iv. output channel means for transmitting andreceiving control data signals away from and to said customer controlmeans; and v. first processor control means connected to said creditcard reader means, said keyboard means, said display means and saidoutput channel means, said processor control means being responsive tooperation of said card reader means for transmitting control datasignals carrying signals representing said card coded data via saidoutput channel means and responsive to operation of said keyboard meansfor transmitting control data signals carrying signals representing saidkeyboard data via said output channel means and responsive to controldata signals received via said output channel means for displayingvisual information on said display means for instructing the customer'soperation of said customer control means; and attendant control meansfor use by the attendant of the gas station, said attendant controlmeans being manually operable by the attendant for enabling a selectedone of said fuel dispensing means, said attendant control meansincluding:i. data transmission means connectable to a data bank andcapable of transmitting control data signals thereto and capable ofreceiving second coded data signals from the data bank representative ofcredit authorization, said second coded data signals having a validcredit state or a non-valid credit state; ii. input channel meansconnected to said output channel means of said customer control means,for transmitting and receiving said control data signals from and tosaid customer control means; iii. indicator means for indicating to theattendant the value of dispensed fuel of one of said dispensing means;and iv. second processor control means connected to said fuel dispensingmeans, said data transmission means, said input channel means and saidfuel indicator means, said processor control means responsive to certainof said control data signals received from said customer control means,for instructing said data transmission means to transmit credit cardcoded data to said data bank and responsive to said second coded datasignals from the data bank for transmitting control data signals to saidcustomer control means via said input channel means and responsive tocertain of said control data signals from said customer control meansfor instructing enablement of a selected one of said fuel dispensingmeans and responsive to said first coded data signals for activatingsaid indicator means, for providing an indication to the attendant ofthe value of dispensed fuel.
 2. A system according to claim 1 whereinsaid fuel dispensing means includes signal generation means forgenerating control data signals for indicating that a fuel dispensingmeans has been actuated by the customer for operation, said signalgeneration means being connected to said input channel means; andwhereinsaid second processor control means is responsive to said control datasignals from said signal generation means for transmitting control datasignals instructing idlement, to said customer control means via saidinput channel means; and wherein said first processor control means isresponsive to said control data signals instructing idlement for causingsaid display means to display instructions for use of said customercontrol means by the next customer.
 3. A system according to claim 2wherein said signal generation means generates said control data signalsupon the actuation of a mechanical switch of said dispensing means.
 4. Asystem according to claim 1 wherein said second processor control meansinstructs enablement of a selected one of said fuel dispensing means byinstructing the attendant for manual enablement of said selected one ofsaid fuel dispensing means.
 5. A system according to claim 1 whereinsaid attendant control means includes individual pump selection buttonsmanually actuable by the attendant; and communication means responsiveto said second processor control means for communication with saidattendant; andwherein said second processor control means is responsiveto said keyboard data for actuation of said communication means forcommunicating with the attendant a particular pump number selected bythe customer at said customer control means, said second processorcontrol means being responsive to actuation of said pump selectionbuttons for instructing enablement of a selected one of said fueldispensing means.
 6. A system according to claim 2 wherein saidattendant control means includes a credit card reader operable forreading indicia carried by a credit card and for generating card codeddata indicative of said indicia.
 7. A system according to claim 1wherein said attendant control means includes visual display meansresponsive to display signals for visually displaying information forcommunicating with the attendant; andwherein said second processorcontrol means is responsive to said second coded data signals foractuating said attendant control means that credit is unavailable.